Officials have warned of possible outbreaks of algae in Beijing’s waterways. Residents have spotted green algae in eastern Beijing's Chaoyang district and at the Summer Palace, a tourist attraction in the city's north-west. Rubbish-strewn waters, high summer temperatures and a below-average rainfall this season may have all contributed to an outbreak. In an attempt to purify the city's waters, officials have removed 27,000 cubic metres of rubbish and silt and introduced lilies, snails and shellfish. The water supply elsewhere in China has already been jeopardised this year by algal outbreaks, which can be toxic.

Stomach-turning

Beijingers were outraged by a report released on July 8th that claimed that street vendors were using cardboard soaked in chemicals to augment the filling in their meat buns. Originally aired on Beijing Television, and later picked up by China Central Television, the “exposé” came amid global concerns over the safety standards under which Chinese food, medicines and other products for export are manufactured. New outrage exploded ten days later when Beijing Television announced that the report was fake. Zi Beijia, the freelance journalist behind it, has been detained by police. State media have said that Mr Zi felt pressure to produce an eye-catching report after monitoring a bun store for two weeks and seeing nothing suspicious. For background, see article

Clear skies ahead

With just over a year to go until the 2008 Olympic games begin, organisers are researching ways to guarantee clear skies for the opening ceremony on August 8th. Meteorologists reckon there is a 50% chance of rain. Zhang Qiang, head of the Beijing Weather Modification Office, said 26 rain-making stations are experimenting with launching chemical catalysts to dispel clouds and to control the time and place of rainfall. Ms Zhang warned, though, that the technique is effective only for light precipitation and can do little to prevent heavy rain.

The answer is blowin' in the wind

Beijing has begun work on its first large-scale wind farm. The 33-turbine complex is expected to produce 100m kilowatt hours of electricity each year—enough to supply 100,000 Beijing families. Budgeted at 580m yuan ($76m), the plant will be in Guanting, on the city's north-western outskirts. It should be operational in time to meet 20% of the Olympic games' electricity needs, which is the goal set by the event's organisers. As wind power costs nearly twice as much as coal power, the city government may have to offer subsidies to buyers.

Travel spotlight

One of Beijing's brashest neighbourhoods looks set to become much quieter. Hou Hai, a well-heeled lake district in central Beijing, has become a hip spot for nightlife among expatriates, visiting foreigners and cool locals. But the area, also known as Shichahai, draws a steady stream of grumbling from nearby residents. On July 14th police informed bars and nightclubs that they must either keep down the level of noise or face closure. Citing a recent 50% rise in the number of complaints, the officers have warned they will increase their patrols and confiscate loudspeakers placed outdoors.